Gurkha knive kukuri khukuri khukri Info:

The Khukuri, a semi-curve metal knife, is synonymous with the valor of legendary Gurkha soldiers. Though Khukuri is national knife of Nepal, it has not famed only within Nepal or Gurkhas but it has gained popularity in the world, as it is one of the most practical, convenient and peculiar knives. Bowie knife, Stiletto, Scimitar, Roman Sword, Samurai or Machete are some o the famous knives of the world and have all played a great historical significance because of their cutting edge over other weapons. But the most famous of them is the 'Kukri'!

It is a curved metal knife and each Gurkha soldier carries with him in uniform and in battles. During the 1st and 2nd world wars, it was famed as a non- exploded bomb or grenade. In times past, it was said that once a Khukuri was drawn in battle, it had to 'taste blood'- if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning into its sheath.

In the hands of an experience wielder the Khukuri is about a formidable a weapon as can be conceived. The lithe wire little men, utterly courageous, supremely cheerful, stealthy as leopards and agile as goats in the mountains, come leaping over the ground to attack, moving so quickly. When they come near the enemy, they suddenly crouch to the ground, drive under the bayonets and strike upward at the men with their Khukuris, ripping them open in a single blow. The result of such a dangerous combination of man and blade is a superb and effective slaughter. The enemy tumbles in two clean pieces, even before he can express his surprise because his is the kindest, quietest and quickest death.

The Khukuri, however, is more than just an enemy's nightmare. From its origins as a valuable farming implement, the Khukuri evolved over the centuries into a lethal fighting weapon. To most of Nepal's rural people -- who constitute more than 90% of the kingdom's population -- the Khukuri is a best friends, a multi-purpose knife which can be used for cutting grass, chopping wood, peeling vegetables, slaughtering animals and skinning meat, not to mention warding off dangerous animals and the occasional human invader. Nepalese people traditionally carry the Khukuri when traveling beyond their homeland; just the sight of the brazen knife is enough to scare off most robbers. More than being just a revered and effective weapon, however, the Khukuri is also the peaceful all-purpose knife of the hill people of Nepal. It is a versatile working tool and therefore an indispensable possession of almost every households and travelers.

The Khukuri is also used in sacrificial ceremonies: during Dashain, within the Gurkha regiments, the Khukuri is used to cut off animals' heads to make pleasure the gods and goddesses, who in return will protect Gurkhas in battle. Those Nepalese who do not participate in blood-letting slash a pumpkin instead. The Khukuri is then garlanded with flowers and blessed with or without the animal's blood.

This 'all purpose' knife of the Gurkhas - 'Khukuri' is of a very peculiar shape. Basically, the standard blade (Service No.1 Khukuri) is very thick at the base measuring a little more than a quarter of an inch in thickness. From the back it is thinned off gradually to the edge, which has curvature of its own, quite different to that of the back, so the blade is widest as well as thickest in the middle, and tapers at one end towards the hilt and at the other end towards the point. The point of the Khukuri is a sharp as a needle, so that the weapon answers equally for cutting as well as stabbing. In consequence of the great thickness of the metal the blade is exceedingly heavy. A blow from such a weapon can be a terrible one, the very weight of the blade, if allowed to fall from a certain height, would drive half way through the arm of a person.

The Khukuri has never been broken in battle. Not a surprising claim, considering that the knife is made only from high grade steel often taken from a railway line or truck spring. A Khukuri handle is usually made from rosewood, buffalo horns or metals such as Aluminum, Brass in some cases Ivory and Antler also utilize for making the handle. The common scabbard is made from leather or wood and often features various carved designed. The 'top man's" Khukuri incorporates exquisite etchings and engravings on the blade in addition to a gold or silver scabbard (Kothimora) which is inlaid with even more precious gems.

Most Khukuris feature two little knives attached at the back of the sheath held either in a built-in pocket or a leather purse. The small sharp knife is a Karda. Besides being used to hone the master blade, it serves for small cutting jobs. Perhaps the most unusual task it has is at the time of a child's birth: the Karda is then used to cut the umbilical cord. Afterwards the knife is place at the side of the cot to ward off evil spirits. The other knife is called a Chakmak. It is blunt and once rubbed against a stone will produce enough sparks to start a fire. Who needs electric lighters?

The Gurkha and his Khukuri are incomplete without one another. Together they've earned their fame, which can never to be forgotten. Finally, whatever be the roots, Nepal, the Gurkhas and the Khukuri are inseparable in reputation.

The Origin of Khukuri:

None of us knows the fact that how the Khukuri was exactly originated and where it was developed. The originated place and date have also been lost in the mists of time. Even the spelling has been disputed or butchered since someone first tried to describe this knife: khookree, kookerie, khukri, kukery, Kukoori, Koukoori, kukri. What we see is an Anglicized version of a word first heard by English ears back in the early 18th century. The spoken word is actually 3 syllables: kook-er-ee and has finally come down to today’s accepted spelling of kukri or Khukri. Thus, name of this knife can be spelt and pronounced numerous ways but the most common names are Kukri or Khukuri.

Here are some facts, which prove that it is one of the oldest knives in the world. The blade shape descended from the classic Greek sword of Kopis, which is about 2500 years old.
A cavalry sword (The Machaira, Machira) of the ancient Macedonians which was carried by the troops of Alexander the Great when it invaded northwest India in the 4th Century BC and was copied by local black smiths or Kamis some knife exports have found similarities in the construction of some Khukuris to the crafting method of old Japanese sword. Thus the making of Khukuri is one of the oldest blade forms in the history of world, if not in fact the oldest.

Some says it was originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who came to power in Nepal in the 13th Century. There are some Khukuris displaying on the walls of National Museum at Chhauni in Kathmandu which are 500 years old or even more among them one belonged to Drabya Shah, the founder king of the kingdom of Gorkha, in 1627 AD But the some facts shows that the Khukuri's history is centuries old then this. But other suggest that the Khukuri was first used by Kiratis who came to power in Nepal before Lichchhavi age, about 7th Century.

Some Mystical Meaning of Khukuri:

Another thing that adds to the magic of the Khukuri is the cultural and religious significance that has worked its way into the knife. Among the more unique features of the Khukuri is the crescent moon-shaped notch at the base of the blade. Some say it is a fertility symbol or a lock for securing the Khukuri in its sheath. Others say it is to interrupt the flow of blood down onto the handle, which would make it wet or slippery during the time of attack. Perhaps the most plausible explanation is that it is a simple defensive feature of the knife, for once the blow of an opponent's weapon is caught on the blade, the sword or dagger slips down into the notch where with one quick twist, the opponent is disarmed. The notch of the Khukuri near the hilt is said the trident of the Hindu god Shiva, the god of war and destroy. It has various other meanings such as a cow tract, the sexual apparatus of Hindu gods and goddesses, the sun and moon, the symbol of Nepal.

The History and Meaning of the Khukuri:
None of us knows the fact that how the Khukuri (Khukri or Kukri) was exactly originated and where it was developed. The originated place and date have also been lost in the mists of time. Here are some facts, which proves that it is one of the oldest knives in the world. The blade shape descended from the classic Greek sword of Kopis, which is about 2500 years old. The Machira, the calavry sword of the ancient Macedonians which was carried by the troops of Alexander the Great when it invaded northwest India in the 4th Century BC and was copied by local black smiths or Kamis. Some knife exports have found similarities in the construction of some Khukuris to the crafting method of old Japanese sword. Thus the making of Khukuri is one of the oldest blade forms in the history of world, if not in fact the oldest.

Some say it was originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who came to power in Nepal in the 13th Century. There are some Khukuris displaying on the walls of National Museum at Chhauni in Kathmandu which are 500 years old or even more among them one belonged to Drabya Shah, the founder king of the kingdom of Gorkha, in 1627 AD But the some facts shows that the Khukuri's history is centuries old then this. But other suggest that the Khukuri was first used by Kiratis who came to power in Nepal before Lichchhavi age, about 7th Century.

An another thing that adds to the magic of the Khukuri is the cultural and religious significance that has worked its way into the knife. Among the more unique features of the Khukuri is the crescent moon-shaped notch at the base of the blade. Some say it is a fertility symbol or a lock for securing the Khukuri in its sheath. Others say it is to interrupt the flow of blood down onto the handle, which would make it wet or slippery during the time of attack. Perhaps the most plausible explanation is that it is a simple defensive feature of the knife, for once the blow of an opponent's weapon is caught on the blade, the sword or dagger slips down into the notch where with one quick twist, the opponent is disarmed. The notch of the Khukuri near the hilt is said the trident of the Hindu god Shiva, the god of war and destroy. It has various other meanings such as a cow tract, the sexual apparatus of Hindu gods and goddesses, the sun and moon, the symbol of Nepal.